The work of the Holy Spirit - pagina 481

SANCTIFICATION AND JUSTIFICATION The hovah

latter

441

impresses us with the feeling that the name of Jeexalted above the low level of this impure and

is infinitely

discover a distance between Him and ourselves widens in more transcendent holiness, casts us back into ourselves as impure creatures, while it causes His Being to be sinful life;

which, as

we

it

resplendent in the light unapproachable.

If

the angels exalting

His holiness cover their faces with their wings, how much more ought we sinful men consider it with covered face and in godly fear! " The Lord is of purer eyes than to behold evil," impresses us with the deep sense of God's unspeakable sensitiveness, which is so keen that even the faintest suggestion of sin or impurity arouses in Him such antipathy that He can not bear the sight of it. But guilt is out of the question. In the presence of the divine holiness we do not feel guilty, but are overwhelmed by the consciousness of our utter uncleanness and wickedness. Even among men we do not always feel quite satisfied with ourselves. Our brother's warmer zeal and love often make us feel ashamed. Yet the feeling does not

amount

ence of the holiness of God

But in the pres-

to loathing of self.

we feel

at once with Isaiah our spiritual

impurity, and are inclined to cry for a live coal from the altar to sanctify our lips;

and the word

to express our feeling as

of the

we

"

loathing of self"

is

not too strong

prostrate ourselves before the holiness

Lord Jehovah.

This establishes the antithesis at once. The divine holiness in its most exalted aspect affects us, not with fear of punishment, or with anguish, because we owe a debt that we can not pay but with dissatisfaction with ourselves, with abhorrence of our uncleanness, and contempt for our righteousnesses which are as filthy rags. It makes us feel, not our guilt, but our sin ; not our condemnation, but our hopeless wickedness ; it does not crush us under the penalty of the law, but it causes us to be consumed by our impurity; it does not overwhelm us by righteousness, but it uncovers our unholiness and inward corruption. ;

But the divine righteousness It

does not impress

nant

name

me

affects us altogether differently. with the transcendence of His exalted Cove-

as the divine holiness

me, pursues me, leaves pieces under holiness,

its

weight.

me no

;

but in God's hand

rest, seizes

it

oppresses

me, and breaks

His holiness makes the soul

and with sorrow we see His majesty

me

to

thirst after

depart.

But His

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